Saanich Police Department

Saanich Police Department
Heraldic badge of Saanich PD
Shoulder Flash of the Saanich Police
Motto Populo Serviendo
Serving the People
Agency overview
Formed 1906
Employees 226
Volunteers 35
Annual budget $27 million CDN [1]
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction Saanich, British Columbia, Canada
Governing body Saanich Police Board
Constituting instrument
General nature • Local civilian agency
Headquarters 760 Vernon Ave

Police Constables 181 as of 2017
Civilians 60 as of 2017
Elected officers responsible
  • The Honourable Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General of British Columbia
  • His Worship Richard Atwell, Mayor & Chair of the Saanich Police Board
Agency executive
  • Bob Downie, Chief Constable
Website
http://www.saanichpolice.ca

The Saanich Police Department is the police force for the District of Saanich, British Columbia led by Chief Constable Bob Downie consisting of 181 sworn members, supported by 60 civilians and 50 volunteer Reserve Constables.

Saanich Police was the first police force in North America to deploy BMW R1200RT-P motorcycles, a model specifically designed for police use.[2]

Saanich Police is the first police force in Canada to use podcast for crime prevention, unsolved crimes and media updates.[3][4][5]

Saanich Police is also the first police force in Canada to have a mobile shooting range, named "Road Range", a self-contained facility to train officers with the use of firearms but unlike the traditional shooting range, it is a soundproof system in a trailer that can be deployed across the Greater Victoria region.[6][7]

In seven of fifteen years, up to 2005, the Saanich Police has had Canada's top police dog, as chosen at national championships, an unusual feat for a smaller department.[8]

Organizations

Saanich Police is led by Chief Constable Bob Downie, supported by a Deputy Chief Constable who oversee six divisions as outlined below:[9]

  • Uniform Division
  • Detective Division
  • Professional Standards Audits and Plans Division
  • Administration Division
  • Staff Development Division
  • Community Engagement Division


The 9-1-1 service point for contacting the SPD is at the Saanich Integrated Police/Fire Communications Centre which was officially opened on December 11, 2008. Unlike traditional emergency communication/police dispatch centres, the centre serves the following municipalities and districts with an approximate population of 170,000 : North Saanich, Sidney, Central Saanich (collectively known as Saanich Peninsula), Oak Bay and Saanich itself.[10]

Integrated Road Safety Unit (IRSU)

Two Saanich police officers are seconded to the 15 member unit IRSU. IRSU is mandated to "providing intelligence led enforcement while targeting aggressive driving behaviors, reducing alcohol-related crashes and encouraging the use of seatbelts" within the Capital Regional District.[11] This unit comprises officers from Saanich, Victoria Police Department, Oak Bay Police Department, Central Saanich Police and the RCMP under an agreement with the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General and they patrol in specially RCMP marked cars and are able to enforce laws outside their municipal jurisdiction.

See also

References

  1. ↑ District of Saanich 2013 - 2016 Financial Plan
  2. ↑ Chase Vehicle - Canadian Biker Magazine
  3. ↑ Saanich police broadcasting podcasts
  4. ↑ Saanich police use podcasting to extend long arm of the law
  5. ↑ Police 2.0: New Technology Puts Police at the Forefront of Social Media
  6. ↑ Speaking notes for The Honourable John van Dongen
  7. ↑ Modified trailer unveiled as shooting range for Saanich police
  8. ↑ "B.C. police dog best in Canada: Rogue from Saanich tops 35 other dogs for top honours", The Canadian Press, reprinted in The Province, 2005-09-28, p. A24.
  9. ↑ Administrative Division
  10. ↑ Saanich Integrated Police/Fire Communications Centre Officially Opened
  11. ↑ Integrated Road Safety Unit Archived 2009-05-01 at the Wayback Machine.
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